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Twitter: Garrett: Crawford can play all four DL positions

He is going to surprise some of the naysayers. Not saying he is the next Manster. Not saying he will be all that right out of the gate. But at some point in the season everything should start to click.

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What's wrong with being the next Manster? LOL...the kid can be VERY solid, and I'm hopeful. Just needs to stay healthy.

Crawford is a heck of a prospect.
He played and acquitted himself well 2 years ago as a raw rookie with little big-time college exp.
He was touted a 4-3 guy coming out so the change didn't hurt him at all.
The player he is most similar to is a younger Jason Hatcher.

He has good size at 6'4" and 280+ with long arms and great strength (28 reps at 225).

I don't think he is a true candidate for all 4 positions but he should be a serious candidate at the SDE and be in the mix for 3T and 1T minutes in pass rushing sets.
He looks a lot like a Seattle DE. A big, strong guy who can absolutely own an area and still get after the QB.

It's hard to find a guy in this draft class to compare him to but the best may be Scott Chrichton due to the solid build and height/weight. Crawford is a slightly more athletic and bigger guy however.
One could also point to Kony Ealy who is very similar with even longer arms.

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If he was put back in the draft right now, knowing everything we know, where do you think he would go? Late 1st early 2nd?

“That is a great question,” Garrett said at the owners meetings in Orlando, asked if Crawford would be an end or a tackle. “He has really good versatility. We are going to look at the landscape of our defensive line and see where he fits in. We really think he can play all four spots. We will use him in a couple of different spots certainly. We want to get him into a role, into a position where he is most comfortable and get his body right.”

“He will probably be a bigger guy and weigh a little more if he plays inside,” Garrett said. “He will be a lighter guy if he plays outside. Even if he plays outside, we will probably use him inside in certain situations. We will make that determination here relatively soon. We have talked about this as a staff and with him a little bit. And depending on who else we have in that landscape, we will probably pick a lane with him and see where we want to start with him and see how he adjusts to it.”

If he was put back in the draft right now, knowing everything we know, where do you think he would go? Late 1st early 2nd?

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That's an interesting question.
I suspect in this draft he'd be in the r2 or r3 area. In mix with Ealy and Crichton. Probably between those 2.

He mainly fell because he was so raw having been at Boise starting only one year after arriving late.
His production was good but not off the charts. His measurables/testing is above Crichton stats below.

If Spencer somehow got healthy and came back to the Cowboys Crawford may be an interesting 1 tech for us. Otherwise, he is our starting SDE most likely, who can move inside for nickel packages. I am more intrigued with him playing the 1 tech - could be a force there (though I have no certainty he can anchor and stop the run from there.)

If Spencer somehow got healthy and came back to the Cowboys Crawford may be an interesting 1 tech for us. Otherwise, he is our starting SDE most likely, who can move inside for nickel packages. I am more intrigued with him playing the 1 tech - could be a force there (though I have no certainty he can anchor and stop the run from there.)

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Spencer would likely play the weak side. Depending on any draft picks. He would come in as the best pass rusher.

I understand that he had/ needs to be healthy first. But shouldn't they as a staff already know what the hell they are going to do with him ? He bulked up to play in the 3/4 then last year dropped weight to play the 4/3 DE. So pick one and let him adjust his body, start training for one position !!! Coming off a major injury (and if they really want him inside - which I think is just dumb) he needs time and training at one spot - not multiple. Let him get comfortable with one thing first. Seems like SDE to me, maybe nickle DT.
And by the way, would playing the # 1 as I see mentioned here alot, put more pressure on his archilles as he would have to anchor against big bodies all the time ! Or does that not matter ? dont know. so asking...

I understand that he had/ needs to be healthy first. But shouldn't they as a staff already know what the hell they are going to do with him ? He bulked up to play in the 3/4 then last year dropped weight to play the 4/3 DE. So pick one and let him adjust his body, start training for one position !!! Coming off a major injury (and if they really want him inside - which I think is just dumb) he needs time and training at one spot - not multiple. Let him get comfortable with one thing first. Seems like SDE to me, maybe nickle DT.
And by the way, would playing the # 1 as I see mentioned here alot, put more pressure on his archilles as he would have to anchor against big bodies all the time ! Or does that not matter ? dont know. so asking...

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Saying a guy can play all 4 positions isn't saying they don't know what to do with him. Just that he's versatile. He gives you options. This is a good thing, if true.

I don't know that playing the 1 would tax his Achilles any more than another position. I would think exploding upfield at the snap is pretty hard on that injury. If he can do that, I'm sure he can do it all.

Saying a guy can play all 4 positions isn't saying they don't know what to do with him. Just that he's versatile. He gives you options. This is a good thing, if true.

I don't know that playing the 1 would tax his Achilles any more than another position. I would think exploding upfield at the snap is pretty hard on that injury. If he can do that, I'm sure he can do it all.

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I get the 4 positions thing - and that is a good theng BUT, Garret said he will have to be bigger to play inside, or smaller to play DE, and they will choose soon.
To me, That is red headed idiot speak - or puppet of Jerry speak for - we will wait till the draft to see what we pick up and play him accordingly. Again coming off a pretty major injury I feel thats a disservice to him.
If they decide to put him inside at either DT spot that would be 3 positions in 3 years and a major injury. Back out at SDE it would seem best suited for him, as he has already played it and doesnt have to go up and down body wise etc..... I have no idea, not a coach or know a lot about line play. But would hate to think they will stunt his career due to mismanaging his position growth/potential . Guess Im just not in a very trusting mood when it comes to Garret and players fit right now.
And by the way, I agree with you on the cap hell comment. I think the moves were nessessary due to cap hell, and that we probably are worse off right now. How the draft helps remains to be seen - but so long as they stay this course, it is better for the team in the long run. Short term loss, long term gain. = cap mismanagement.